FabSwingers.com forum: Car Boot Virgin....

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Sorry folks...it's not a kinky dogging one!

Casa McGinty is heading for major reorganisation and refurbishment so the excess clutter and shmutter has to go! Last time we watched one of those "hoarders" documentaries my son said "Don't know why you're tutting your face off mother... that's you!!!!!" In my defence it's not cardboard city exactly... but tote boxes in a huge variety of colours and sizes (with laminated labels indicating contents) are taking us over. Never done this before so any seasoned professional advice would be greatly welcomed.

What sells well, what should I avoid, how do I begin to think about prices??? Should I do one just for household stuff and another for clothes etc.? Will I survive?????

Jintz xx

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By *uke olovingmanMan
over a year ago

Gravesend

just clear all you can for what you think is a reasonable price ask yourself .. do i want to take this home again before you turn offers down .. good luck and make it fun xxx

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"just clear all you can for what you think is a reasonable price ask yourself .. do i want to take this home again before you turn offers down .. good luck and make it fun xxx"

How do I make it fun??? Should I do cocktails and snacks? Or maybe theme it...dress up? I'm thinking Moulin Rouge.....that's too far....isn't it?

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By *iewMan
Forum Mod
over a year ago

Angus & Findhorn

They are quite fierce with the pricing, they will expect you to discount. Hold your nerve though.

Good luck

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"They are quite fierce with the pricing, they will expect you to discount. Hold your nerve though.

Good luck"

Thanks. I'll have to hold my nerve....I need the dosh! But I've already thought of a good few things I can bogof.

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By *ittykate84Woman
over a year ago

CHESTER

Make sure you group things when you put them out and both know how much you are selling for!

Get a load of cheap bin liners or bags from supermarker as people will expect you to be a shop! Oh and change take some tenners, fivers lots of pound coins etc as people will try and hand you a twenty for something for 50p!

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By *empting Devil.Woman
over a year ago

Sheffield

It all depends on the kind of the car boot sale and the crowd it attracts.

If you just want to shift volume and are happy to take quite low offers consider the big ones or the ones in areas with a high immigrant community.

If you've got some items that you're not prepared to go too low on then go for a locally organised one, perhaps at a local school or sports club.

I've found that different things sell at different places, at some I've sold loads of clothes then at others none.

Do get at least one paste table or collapsible table and if you've got clothes then a clothes rail - don't forget hangers.

People like a rummage, so a picnic rug of t shirts or a box of bits and pieces will attract attention.

Tools sell well and toys often go well as does car stuff.

Take a bag like a bum bag or a small handbag on a long strap for your money and keep it on you. Take a roll of small tie handle bin bags to offer if people want bags - they'll often buy a couple of things if they're getting a bag to put them in.

Take a flask and a snack - there is often somewhere doing food and drinks but it's not always the best.

Do deals on multiple items, like 50p for one or three for a pound.

If you're taking any jewellery give it a good once over to make sure none is gold or silver cos you'd do better to scrap it. But plate goes, I'm sure people think they're getting solid when they see it. And consider covering a board with some fabric so you can pin any half decent items down cos there are light fingered people everywhere. I deal with that by greeting most people, that way they know you've seen them, a good morning will suffice.

Take a chair, sitting in a boot is not comfortable. And take layers of clothes. I went to one this weekend and started in a big jumper with a fleece and a scarf and ended in a teensy shirt trying to get some shade.

Good luck.

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By *he_original_poloWoman
over a year ago

a Primark shoebox in Leicester

Do you need to make money or do you want to get rid?

If making money is a bonus and you don't want to be packing it all back in the boot and making it a weekly thing.... keep pricing simple 50p, £1.... and let it go.

Also take a look around towards the end of the day for people who look like regular sellers and offer them your left-overs for a token price.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Thanks everyone... I'm getting quite excited now. I'm thinking I may have enough for three goes at it. Is it just me??? For years I've collected ornamental balls, picking them up wherever I see them...I've got hundreds now. Candle holders, buddhas, cat ornaments, vases, cushion covers (50), at least twenty pairs of shoes that have never seen a pavement, framed prints, and that's before we even get to the clothes and handbags!!!!! So its got to go. Grandchild coming soon. Simplify and minimise...that's the theory!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Oh man I love carboot sales For clothes only. Saying that I love charity shops as well, but I get super jealous of the US of A for all the thrift stores and goodwill

Good luck on your sale!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Look at where you bought it from; if it's an expensive shop and what you paid for it and price it higher than a cheap shop

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By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ

I usually end up bringing more of other people's shit home than I've got rid of ma own

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

When setting up always work from one car door, as when you start setting up you will have everyone looking into your car to see what you have.

Only put out one box at a time, and if you are emptying it finish it before moving onto the next one. It stops people going through the boxes and taking stuff.

As some others have said stick to your prices at first, be prepared to haggle but don't cave in too quickly.

You might get people walking around the cars before it opens asking if you have either jewelry or mobile phones , if you do have any tell them to come back after you have unpacked. They are after it cheap to sell on in the boot sale.

Have fun

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"When setting up always work from one car door, as when you start setting up you will have everyone looking into your car to see what you have.

Only put out one box at a time, and if you are emptying it finish it before moving onto the next one. It stops people going through the boxes and taking stuff.

As some others have said stick to your prices at first, be prepared to haggle but don't cave in too quickly.

Have fun"

Omg...now I'm imagining "Shaun of the Dead" type zombies clawing at my wee Corsa to get at my nic nacs....scary!!!

Thanks though...I'll take a baseball bat....

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Look at where you bought it from; if it's an expensive shop and what you paid for it and price it higher than a cheap shop"

It is indeed an eclectic mix of trash and treasure....

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Are you on Facebook? Is there a local For Sale n Wanted page? Some things sell better there than at a boot fair

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Not zombies, just nosey buggers who want to see what you have got. LoL.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Are you on Facebook? Is there a local For Sale n Wanted page? Some things sell better there than at a boot fair"

Someone suggested that but I don't do Facebook....

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
over a year ago

Central

Visit a few as some are more full of tat than others and some are much busier too. Expect people to knock you down on price if you let them. I always have my absolute bottom price and I don't budge. Take a few things along just for the experience. Professionals come along too and will try to buy low and re-sell: Its your choice if selling price is good enough.

Best thing is to check sales prices at the ones you visit in advance. If your stuff is worth a lot more then that one is not for you. Assume pennies more than tens of pounds per item.

Find other ways of disposing of more valuable items.

Take a bit of a selection of things with you imo, to pull people in.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Top tip : Make yourself a mini sandwich board to hang around yer neck stating "Make me an offer"

You never know, you may get rather lucky.

ps let us all know how you get on.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

....think I'll add

"And make it a big one!!!!" on the back.

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By *empting Devil.Woman
over a year ago

Sheffield

Good quality shoes and clothes that are unworn or nearly new may fetch a better price at a dress agency.

Have a look online for decent ones near you. It's worth travelling a little cos some are busier than others. You may have to book an appointment and don't forget to take clothes suitable for the upcoming season.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

not my thing but im getting excited for you - let us know how it goes

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